Preventing cellphone usage when driving

Abstract

A method for preventing cellular phone usage while driving. In one embodiment a GPS system incorporated into the workings of the cellular phone is used to detect that the phone is in motion, and that the rate of movement exceeds some preset value indicating that the phone is in a moving vehicle. Having detected motion the phone will deliver a number of options ranging from complete shutdown until motion stops, to use only for emergency purposes, to only limited use, or to complete use by interjecting a preset PIN or other such password which will allow the cellular phone user to override the phone shutdown mechanism. Other alternate means for detecting motion include triangulation between numerous towers, to signal strength variation from a single tower, to signals generated by miniature accelerometers and velocimeters imbedded in the phone specifically for detecting rate of movement.

A 1 . A method for detecting motion of the device, comparing the motion against some threshold or pre-assigned rate of movement, and then taking appropriate action to curtail the ability of the device to send or receive communications of a non-crucial nature during the period of motion.  
   
   
     A 2 . The method of  claim A1  wherein the mechanism for detecting movement is based on a Ground Position Satellite (GPS) sensor imbedded in the cellular phone.  
   
   
     A 3 . The method of  claim A1  wherein the movement detected by the GPS sensor is translated into a velocity defining the rate of change of the phone's location as a function of time.  
   
   
     A 4 . The method of claim of A 1  wherein the calculated velocity is compared against some pre-set velocity to determine if the rate of change of the phone's position exceeds this threshold pre-set value.  
   
   
     A 5 . The method of  claim A1  whereby once the determination is made that the phone's velocity exceeds this threshold value, an inquiry algorithm such as is presented in Table 1 is activated.  
   
   
     A 6 . The method of claim  5  wherein the algorithm will establish whether the phone is to be used for emergency communications and allow the call to go through.  
   
   
     A 7 . The method of claim  5  wherein the algorithm will establish whether an absolute stipulation against phone usage for non-emergency purposes while driving exists, and shut the phone down.  
   
   
     A 8 . The method of claim  5  wherein the algorithm will establish whether the phone is attempting to communicate with some preset numbers and allow communications to be established.  
   
   
     A 9 . The method of claim  5  wherein the algorithm will establish whether a Personal Identification Number (PIN) can be introduced to override the termination protocol.  
   
   
     A 10 . The method of claim  5  wherein the algorithm will query the cellphone user to enter the appropriate PIN for override purposes.  
   
   
     A 11 . The method of claim  5  wherein the algorithm will further establish whether the correct PIN was entered in the allocated time period, and either permit or terminate the communication as appropriate.  
   
   
     A 12 . The method of claim  5  wherein the algorithm will establish whether the override protocol only allows communications for a specified period of time and terminate communications when that time period expires.  
   
   
     A 13 . The method of claim  5  wherein the algorithm will establish whether the override protocol only allows communications for a specified number of calls, and termination communications when that number is exceeded.  
   
   
     A 14 . The method of claim  5  wherein the algorithm will establish whether any other limitations are present before establishing communications when the phone is in motion.  
   
   
     A 15 . The method of  claim A1  wherein the mechanism for detecting movement is based on a triangulation method imbedded in the cellular phone whereby the movement of the cellphone is detected by the act of triangulating the cell phones signal strength between at least two and preferably more towers as the phone changes location.  
   
   
     A 16 . The method of  claim A1  wherein the movement detected by the triangulation method is translated into a velocity defining the rate of change of the phone's location as a function of time.  
   
   
     A 17 . The method of claim of A 1  wherein the calculated velocity is compared against some pre-set velocity to determine if the rate of change of the phone's position exceeds this threshold pre-set value.  
   
   
     A 18 . The method of  claim A1  wherein the mechanism for detecting motion is based on an analysis of signal strength form a single tower due to the phone's remote location.  
   
   
     A 19 . The method of  claim A1  wherein the mechanism for detecting motion is based on an analysis of signals generated by miniaturized velocimeters and accelerometers imbedded in the cellphone's body for the specific purpose of detecting motion.  
   
   
     A 20 . The method of  claim A1  wherein the mechanism for detecting motion is based on an analysis of signals generated by some notechnology paradigm specifically designed for this purpose.